Applying for full time courses

How to apply:
If you are applying for a full time undergraduate course (HNC, HND, Foundation Degree or Undergraduate Degree) you need to apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

All applications through UCAS must be made online. As well as information relating to predicted grades, schools attended and any work experience, the application form also requires you to complete a 'Personal Statement'. In your 'Personal Statement' you need to explain your motivations for applying to the course and the reasons the university or college should offer you a place. If applying through UCAS you are allowed to select up to six different courses. For further information on the online application process, click here.

When to apply:
In order to ensure your application is guaranteed equal academic consideration you need to apply before 15 January in the year you are hoping to commence your course. It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible (after 1 September), once you've selected the right course.

Applications received after 15 January are considered at the discretion of individual institutions and there is no guarantee that they will be given the same level of consideration as applications received prior to the closing date.

From mid-March to June UCAS operates a system called Extra. This is for applicants who, for whatever reason, find themselves without an offer or wish to change their choice of course and decline previous offers. UCAS Extra enables people to have an additional choice and not have to wait until Clearing to find a place.

Clearing operates after 30 June and is for applicants who have already applied through UCAS but not secured a place for a course. It can also help late applicants, who've not yet applied for courses.

What happens next?
If you submit your application to UCAS before 15 January in the year you wish to start your course, by the end of March you should have received decisions from all the institutions you applied to.

If you apply between 15 January and June you should receive a decision by 20 July. Decisions on applications received through 'Clearing' will be made by the institution as soon as possible.

If you receive an offer of a place it will be either an 'unconditional' or a 'conditional' offer. An unconditional offer is one which is not dependent on you achieving certain grades, whereas for a conditional offer you will need to obtain certain grades or points in any exams you have yet to take.

Once you have carefully considered any offers, you need to let UCAS know which you wish to accept. You can accept two conditional offers, with your second choice having lower grade requirements (or being an unconditional offer), or one unconditional offer.